Influences of variety and flowering time on some physio-morphological and chemical traits of dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.)

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the influences of variety and flowering time on physio-morphological and chemical characters of Dragon fruit. Research Method: Two varieties (BAU Dragon fruit 1 and BAU Dragon fruit 2) and four flowering times (May, June, July, and August) were selected for this investigation. The experiment was laid out in a randomized completely block design with five replications. Findings: Significant variations were observed between two varieties of Dragon fruit. It was found that BAU Dragon fruit 2 exhibited better performances on studied parameters as compared to BAU Dragon fruit 1. It was observed that at 38 days after fruit setting (DAFS), BAU Dragon fruit 2 produced the highest fruit length (10.01cm), fresh weight (307.94 g/fruit), dry weight (24.85 g/fruit), pulp weight (168.98 g/fruit), peel weight (91.32 g/fruit) and total soluble solids (TSS) (25.16% Brix) as compared to another variety. The combine effects of variety and flowering time showed that August flowering of BAU Dragon fruit 2 produced maximum fruit length (10.74 cm) and peel weight (115.65 g/fruit) while May flowering of BAU Dragon fruit 2 produced maximum fresh weight (456.50 g/fruit), pulp weight (302.12 g/fruit), moisture content (94.63%) and TSS (27.17 %Brix) as compared to other flowering time. In terms of time required to fruit maturity, August flowering BAU dragon fruit 2 matured earlier (30.6 days) than June flowering (35.04 days). Research limitations: Evaluation of more varieties of dragon fruit was a research limitation. Originality/value: These findings reveal that flowering time irrespective of variety has direct effects on fruit growth and development of Dragon fruit.